It is
January. Twenty six twenty
twenty one. What first- order
business yes conflict of
interest in anybody have a
conflict of interest for into
the items on the agenda today
if you have raise your hand. No
okay seeing none will go on
from there second is approval
of minutes I need a- motion to
approve the minutes of December
twenty second twenty twenty
have a correction uhhuh. Okay
will make the motion first and
then we'll talk about
corrections. Going to make a
motion we approve them to
manage- December twenty second
twenty planning. This is
December twenty second so Sorg
twenty twenty. Is commissioner
Bennett and I- second. Hey we
have a motion and a second to
accept the minutes okay- any
corrections or discussions. No
I have a correction just
commissioner Gordon have a
correction just on a board
members present I mean you're a
to absences a showstopping year.
Live on a neighbor here we're
not at that meeting. Okay so
let's see who. Will be talking
to about this. David where.
Yes- and- what was the response.
One week if you would want to
make a motion to remove them as
present will get with backing a
be part of this month's minutes
and we'll make those changes.
Okay all right so can you make
a motion to make those changes
someone. On this commission who
are gonna make a motion that we
make those changes to the
minutes of December twenty
second. Their second. The
commissioners met back bay out
of the- thank you of so can we
have a roll call to meet on
this David are you doing the
role calls also. No manager I
will will do that- we'll start
with Abraham Sanchez is not
present of James Bennett. Yes
in regards in Rico Smith sorry.
Di my- internet connection
Gallo shaky there can you hear
me yes we can okay. The role
commissioner Smith of this is
for a motion to make that
amendment about the attendance
of the December twenty second
meeting. That's correct yeah
those corrections to the- to
those minutes. Okay- Mr
Guerrero's absence
commissioner Monet's. Your
muted right now. I wasn't at
that meeting okay I was absent
okay- vice chair Gordon. Yes
and chair Thomas I will yes
your amendment to the minutes
has been approved and- if
you're no further discussion I
can do the roll call for
approval of the minutes. Thank
you that would be fine to go
ahead and do that okay
commission responses absent
commissioner Bennett. Yes Mr
Smith. Yes Mr grows absent
commissioner Mones. And vice
chair Gordon long here. And the
chairman Thomas yes I will yes.
Your of minutes from December
twenty second have been
approved. Okay so it lacks our
finest postponements- we don't
have any you should be good as
interrupting turned on of a
trouble trying to find place we
have to raise and lower my hand
when I click on this on my
screen. Participants and that
list comes up over on the right
okay I got it thank you all
right I'm sorry to interrupt I
had. And that's okay. But no
postponements public
justification do we have any
public participation. Bearer
Kathmandu. Manager I'm not
aware anyone- you do have three
attendees but I'm not sure if
any of them- are requesting to
speak at this time. Okay can I
ask- in anybody who's attending
from the public if your
comments are for a particular.
Item can you save them please
and so we get to that item. Is
there anyone down here who.
Wants to comment more generally
are on something that's not on
the agenda. Madam chair this is
Catherine none of the attendees
have their hands raise so I'll
take that as a no. Okay thank
you very much. Okay so moving
on to the consent agenda- I
don't see approval of the
agenda. So let's let's have a
motion to approve the agenda.
So I it's not on the
commissioner Gordon I make a
motion to approve the consent
agenda item number one. That
second commissioner Brandon
I'll second that. Okay the
section to accept the consent
agenda- anybody. Anything
anybody wants to take off of
the consent agenda. Catherine
is there anybody from the
public that wants that item.
Madam chair it does not appear.
Okay thank you very much all
right so- can you gave it your
all call for the- yeah.
Commissioner songes absent a
commissioner Bennett. Yes
committee is minutes. Present.
Mr Guerrero's absent of
commissioner monies yes
commissioner Gordon yes enter
Thomas yes. Okay all business
all right we don't have any new
business- sh the first item is
election of officers. Richard
Thomas. I would like to make
your any nomination for chair
of the commission be Sharon
Thomas to serve for another
year done an excellent job.
Prior years I think we should
continue to have her as chair.
I therefore nominate her in a
position. The second. Okay w
have a first and second to
nominate me. Right share again
is there any discussion. Okay
David can read your all call
yes- command commissioners
launches absent commissioner
Bennett. Yeah Mr Smith yes.
Greschner Guerrero's absent
commissioner monies yes and- Mr
Gordon yes. Mr Thomas yes. Mmhm
you have a chair for next year.
I saw and I would like to make
a motion that you make your
garden continue as vice chair.
I will second that. Okay any
other. Motions. Okay it's been
moved and seconded that
commissioner garden continue as
vice chair of Kent- David can
you call the wrong yes. It's
responses is absent
commissioner yes Mr Smith. Yes
Mr Guerrero is absent
commissioner monies. Lovano
you've made it. Yes your muted.
I yes yes yes okay. You Mr
Gordon yes Muintir Thomas yes.
Okay the next item is- we need
a secretary- we need a
secretary oh sorry who's a
secretary currently commission
meeting along the line and then
and she's willing to continue
in that position unless
somebody else would like to do
it I would like to know she's
always done a job. For the last
hundred years. I know many. You
it outlining what is that what
you said yes. Is there a second.
Mr Mrs nice second okay any
other nominations. Okay David
one more roll call. Missioners
announces absent commissioner
Bennett yes Mr Smith yes
Krishna grows absent
commissioner monies. Thank our
commissioner Gordon yes manager
Thomas yes. Okay is that it for
the officers. Yes okay so then
that guy next item is a request
for a to zone change at three
thousand north main street. Can
we have a motions to accept
that. Hi this is commissioner
Gordon I make a motion that we
accept- item number two under a
new business. Whereas on change.
Hi this is- commissioner
Bennett and I second that. Okay
it's been first and seconded
that- we- entertain a motion to
make his own train at at three
thousand north main street- is
there presentation. Madam chair
this is Catherine here's
Rodgers R. John Casio with our
department will be presenting
today okay. Hey John is still%
you on us proceedings thank
you. Good evening madam chair
of members of the commission hi
my name is John to steer for
the record I'm a planner with
the City of Las Cruces. Today
I'm amended presenting. Zone
change from- to which is Office
professional limited retail
services artisti to commercial
medium intensity- for property
located at three thousand north
main street. Is everybody able
to see my screen well like your
screen. Not yet John. Okay is
that better yeah yeah but yeah.
On. Conditions of the property
currently right now the
property sits a vacant lot at
it compresses. Eight nine seven
one acres- as I mentioned
before it's located at three
thousand north main street- off
of which is considered a major
arterial roadway. Is currently
zoned- to on. In February. I
two thousand three the
ordinance nineteen eighty two I
was adopted a giving about- to
zoning- early right now the
property sits within a mixed
use corridor of commercial
retail- to the north and to the
east. And limited retail Office
professional to the west
here's the image of. The
property. This is a business
partner Jason choose the
subject property. So the
proposed are the proposal is
brought forth from her
engineering was as on change to
see to a commercial medium
intensity other proposed to
develop a Dutch brothers coffee
and the auto repair shop- my
analysis of. The zoning change
ourselves it is compliant with
the two thousand one zoning
code as amended it's also
supported by elevate Las Cruces
when viewing the future
development not the property is
located within a regional
commercial corridor. It's also
near proposed town center and
mixed use corridor- it also is
compliant with the purpose and
intent are statements and as
well as appendices decision
criteria- at the time that the
presentation was created in.
Report was sent out there are
no- no public input that was
provided- all the departments
that review the- that were
relevant to reviewing of the
zoning change all supported.
And so the recommendation of
approval from is set you guys
of the request will allow for
the attraction retention. Of
businesses at the location and
expansion of potential uses.
Our expanded use is allowed by
the sound change are consistent
with existing uses and
proximity to the property. On
the subject property is located
on a principal arterial roadway.
I which is recommended for
commercial land uses other
request. Is supported by all of
it Las Cruces comprehensive
plan and it's the purpose and
intent of the two thousand one
zoning code. Are your options
today are to vote yes for
approval of no. At today and I
am a term mandible to table.
Thank you very much. Is there
anyone else that wants to speak
for this- Catherine's or of in
an owner or anyone else who
wants to speak- John Mr you
know of anybody else who wants
to speak. I am sure this is
Katherine- Mr Gallagher does
have his hand up and would like
to speak. I will allow him to
talk. Okay thank you. I'll
speak if needed but it appears
like it's going to go through
but- I just. I'd have to- this
together after swear you and
okay. Do you swear and affirm
the testimony you're about to
get to the truth and nothing
but the truth on their penalty
of law. I do okay go ahead. I
just wanted I'm on the line and
I'm available to speak if
needed but I appreciate you all
taken this are. Matarazzo and
if I do need to address
anything I'm available. Thank
you. Is there anyone else but
needs to speak that is a to
associated with this property
Catherine. Again this is
Catherine Pearson for the
record button no madam chair I
do not see anybody else with
their hand up it appears that
that Mr Gallagher was the only
one. Okay any discussion from
the commissioners. We've all
got your microphones muted
nobody wants to speak. Okay
well I'll say that I think it's
a very appropriate use of that
property and- I know people in
the adjacent. Development we
would love to have a coffee
place right next door so. I
think that this is not a good
choice in a good mood. Anybody
else have anything to say about
it. Bylaws that I've had Dutch
brothers coffee and good coffee
so- The. We have a plug for
Dutch brothers coffee. Anyone
else. Okay David we do a roll
call. Sure of councilors
assuming commissioner sponsors
as absent commissioner Bennett.
I've yes based on- on staff
recommendation on and it and
that it it meet I living Las
Cruces. Mr Smith- I will yes
because it's consistent with
the purpose and intent- the
zoning zoning ordinance. Okay
Mr grows absent commissioner
Monet's. We in this thang are
fighting okay certainly you can
you hear me yeah you're on now
okay yes. John based on staff
recommendation and it's nice
to. Have new businesses in town
even though it is another
coffee shop we're gonna have a
lot of wired up Las Cruces and
driving their cars from the
repair shop. Mr Gordon. Love I
think it's also a very good
choice for this piece of
property. Bills another empty
spot downtown- since we had a
discussion. Also based my
recommendation on staff
recommendation and it does
comply with the intent of the
of a Las Cruces comprehensive
plan so I definitely well
guessing congratulations I
think is a good choice.
Engineer Thomas yes I also
wrote yes based on a site
visit- knowledge of neighbors
we would like a copy shop the
staff recommendation and- that
Las Cruces and commission units
my family opened the second
coffee shop. I remember when
there weren't any it. Then
there was one and then there
was us I used to go to red
mountain yeah well. Last
support coffee shops. Okay so
that passes is there any
activation commentary. Well
other than the fact as
commissioner Gordon of appoint
the hope we start this year
love even though we are still
burdened under your call with
nineteen hopefully maybe under
this current administration
with their intent to provide a
hopefully. A technician out of
action nation that they can get
hold of this thing and it was
certainly be nice at some point
time to be able to get back to
some. Normal your call it well
of living and I would certainly
like to get back into the
chambers and get Office June.
He. I seek missionary innocents
shaking your head yes. Yes well
I to I spent hours every day
and so I've got. Very close to
you- but it will be nice to see
everybody face to face and I
hope that happens. Pretty soon.
But it's nice to see you all
tonight at the beginning of the
year so. Hopefully this will be
a better year. Are there any
staff announcements. Turman
Thomas- and the remainder of
the commission I would like to
announce this is Catherine for
the record would like to
announce that- at at. Finally
we have the contract with the
land use code approved in legal
and going to council this
month- we are hoping for a
signed contract- so that we can
get started I'm really looking
forward to it's gonna be a lot
of work- and you all will be.
Of course participating in that
but I really look forward to
those amendments- in the next
couple of years it looks like
Larry also has something to say
okay Mr Nichols. Yes good
evening on madam chairman and
commissioners- Larry Nichols
for the record community
development- in addition a lot
of the council just mentioned
that was a very important Mr a
commissioner Gordon asked me
about that most every meeting.
As well and to make sure that
we got covered in mud covered
that topic and I'm glad that
some. That the. Catherine did
so I have a couple more items
so I think I'll put some of the
category of points of interest
perhaps. But we have completed
the calendar year two thousand
and twenty. Construction
activity for the of the- I
merrily the development
community of which the this
commission is a very important
part of that. Yes all starts
with zoning Sam and
subdivisions on land
development. Other than
involves into construction- and
that type of thing. Well for
the year- we did see some
projects that were minutes
thousands of types of projects
which we have a very high on
our list. Of types of housing
that's needed- we did seven
hundred and thirteen nine
single family dwellings. In two
thousand and twenty. Well I
I've done some research and
gone back I believe that is a
record. Of a single family
dwellings on the year. I'm also
told that no we had a spike in
the two thousand and eight but
I went back and looked at that
of the spike was primarily on
the number of permits overall
permission issued. But not the
number of houses on this seven
hundred and thirty nine new
single family dwellings. I
believe that to be a kind of a
record number for the City of
Las Cruces. The. All of you all
of you had. A part to play on
that. Hello I don't foresee
that there's going to be a
slowdown particularly for the
first six months of this coming
year so I think you'll be
having plenty of work come your
way. We have a new of new
officers and- neutral the
election but not new to the
job. And so- I think that will
be doing a great work again
evaluate the value permit
valuations were all also very
high. Of Vine yeah a number for
you is that two hundred and
fifty four million. Ask two
hundred and fifty four million
of permit valuations of that's
about a 30% increase over last
year. So we are a- as I put in
my report and I report city
manager in the council- I get.
Thank M. S. the very end of it
I've. Mr where well as made
effort and getting the- active
transportation planner work
here so now on duty in fact
he's on site- of the services
so- it was became the town
about fourteen days ago so.
Details quarantine and he's
been on site for the last two
to three days ago. We're very
happy to have been because
that's going to help us with
the active transportation.
Component of the City's. Zoning
them and- planning department.
Hello Sir the- primary items
that have interest a I think
for you but I just wanted to
pass that on. And the also
congratulate the new officers.
The New elected officers I
should say. The commission. And
to tell you that- I think we
have plenty of work ahead of us
for the coming year. Thank you
madam chairman. Thank you.
Raise your the pressure could
refer we just sign off.
Catherine the we gonna have
cases for next month.
Commissioner Gordon members of
the commission madam chair it
appears that we will have one
very very very minor case I
would predict it would be about
a five minute meeting- it it
just it's not controversial at
all it has to do with the
repealing as section of code
and actually moving it
elsewhere the municipal code.
That's really all it's about
I. But one other note I would
like to say is I really
enjoying your dog- commissioner
been. Well and then in addition
to that there was a request
from one of our attendees I
just to mention that the city
is undergoing. Their budget
retreats and their strategic
planning efforts currently I
can't really report on heels of
that because a person hasn't
been to city council. Discusses
the public. Government it's
James Vince wrote. What's name.
What's the dog's name. What
what in. The commissioner
Gordon again is very strange
this month we have any mileage
to sign that's very unusual.
Our commissioner Gordon members
of the commission I can't
really speak to that it is
unusual but typically what we
see is there's a rush of those
my Lars prior to the end of the
year- because of that taxing
reason- and typically at the
very be. Giving of the year
there's my alert slow down a
little bit. Okay no problem
thanks. Yes I did Mr for and
you're going to always down
there. Thank you everybody
well I just want to comment
the league of women voters as
an affordable housing.
Committee and we met with the
state land office yesterday.
And so you might be interested
to know that- they're very
interested in working with
developers to include
affordable housing when they
lease or sell land to.
Developers so- they're gonna be
working on our- sort of
comparing their language of
affordable housing with the
language that we use and- we
hope to also continue to work
with them with some planning
David and Larry you know there
used to be an agreement between
the city and the state land
office to plan together- but I
think we tried to find that
once and couldn't find it isn't
that right. David. Madam chair
we did find a copy of that and
but it is not in effect anymore
and so act the last time we had
touch base with the state land
office. We have provided that
language in proposed some
changes- at that time. It was
discussions were right before
the code then they put
everything on hold. Not but we
can make out reach to them
again. About the- yeah that
yeah that would be great
because- they're interested in
working with us and you know
expectantly planning and area
and helping us look for
developers. Especially if. We
want to do some things that are
a little more different have
some affordable housing and
mixed use and stuff so. I think
this is an opportunity to work
with the state land office they
seem very interested. So if you
could reach out to them again
and- we talked it turns next
use that social. State land
officers so maybe that would be
the first sentence. And that
year. Okay thank you. Madam
chair again this is Catherine
like we to up Mr Christie
planner as well as commissioner
live onmovies okay John is
still you want to go ahead.
This is John consider for the
record- to answer commissioner
Gordon question about my
lawyers I do have a couple for
you guys to sign. On they
showed up earlier this week. I
think there might be a third.
Of also read today or tomorrow
so I will reach out to you guys
tomorrow your available. He'll
let us know when you get the
third one okay save us a draft.
Yeah transaminase. Can you hear
me yes we can hear about my
thing says mute and then and
you can hear me so I don't know.
I'm sure I'm kinda glad you
brought up- those meetings
you've gone too because I had a
question I'd like to see a
report. It seems like I bet.
You guys I've been locked up to
long so I've been thinking so
you're in trouble. I am I
noticed a lot of our low income
developments happened in the
western part of the town not
the east mesa and I'd like to
see report compared how many
apartments and homes are lower
in the east raise compared with
the be low I'll say tell sure
I'll use that as the division
line- it seems like everything
low income is coming to. The
west part of town and I'd like
to see a comparison- what's
being billed and housing and
what do you what does this city
and developers call low income.
Of do we have. Like tell sure
all the apartments on tell sure
have become what I consider
welfare apartments low income
apartments at. And of. I think
it we need more but I think it
should be scrapped because it's
seeming like a lot of our new
development is dividing our
city in half and I don't like
to see that I'd like to see us.
As one City of. Everybody's
welcomed in all areas. So I
would like to see what's going
on. And that way and then to
get out the survey I'd say I've
been thanking. You're in
trouble of we I know we had a
large meeting that long meeting
regarding was it Indian hollow.
Yes yes the people want to
close it and I've always
thought of so I think they want
to open it up. All they want to
open it which will say. Have a
date on what. They want to keep
it close yeah yeah they want to
keep that close and- I've
always thought streets were
public streets. The parking in
front of your home is public
parking. And of I know the
people if they're dictating to
the city Doug close something
down I think it'll start
presidents for others you know
I don't like strangers in my
neighborhood I want to close
the end of the street so you
can't walk your dogs. Am I just
wondered. It's such a small
street if the residents there
could by that property. And
they control in the city of.
Charges of my fear they they
make it like a close community
taken on that little street. Is
that a possible thing because I
think if we let the public
start addressing I don't like
too many cars on my street I
don't want this on my street
it'll start a bad presidents
but it's such a small street
couldn't a purchase fat and set
up a fee for that neighborhood.
Let Mr Nichols responded that
yes Larry. Thank you madam
chairman and for the record
Larry Nichols community
development. Well I think you
probably recall that this of
this project- or this case did
appear before the planning and
zoning commission it smelled
slated for of the city council
to deliberate and I'm making a
a decision on- we do have
continued conversation. From
folks- about mostly in
opposition of opening of the
Indian hollow gate. The- the
applicant. For that no change I
think was a zoning change of
Michael correctly I believe I
do. So that really wasn't
necessarily a- of interest to
him. But- the staff believed
that it was a good idea to make
that street of- back into the
street pattern of the rest of
the City Anna and we talk to
the fire department about it we
talked to public safety about
of. Of they were in agreement
with the- so I get is going to
come down to that I think we're
still going to get opposition.
Yep here opposition I should
say. To opening. But I believe
is still. Going forward. To
open and yellow- that that was
our position on it. Our
position hasn't changed and I
guess we'll see what develops
from a public hearing- when it
reaches the council. Address
the other part and you mention
about low income housing
versus the a term that we talk
about affordable housing. Those
are two distinct types of
projects- we do have some
apartments that are being
looked up to the east of the
divide aligned- that you that
you spoke of- M. they are they
are coming up for certificate
of occupancy they are not on
the west side there are more to
the west mesa. But then we know
we have to be very candid with
the commission- and
straightforward which we do not
have a lot of interest from
the- of building community and
develop and build lean- a low
income. Or other affordable
housing most of that is done
through Honda habitat for
humanity and. We have a project
the you know about that was
that came before you. It was
call the- Sierra blueprint
that is gone right there- I
think on spruce street. And
that one is going to be coming
forward I think in the next
year year and a half as well in
fact we have to act on the- so
we have some land restrictions
to. Because that development to
move forward. Well I guess the
most important thing. For
everyone. To hear is that the
city manager's office city
manager in particular. And the
city of council are developing
you learn strategic business
plan. They had a retreat
recently M. affordable housing
was a big topic of conversation
during those during that the
retreat. It's going to we've
been told by city manager left
the- community development
department. Is to make the of
this one of our- or important
projects. For the year and so
will be doing that- and I'm
glad to hear well done
commission chair of Thomas's
said. What about the- state
willing to. Have you put of
them people. But I would want
the commission to know that.
The affordable housing and the
low income housing is going to
be- very high visibility. On
this coming year in terms of
project development. Thank you
that's that's good to hear and
I would also mention that- in
the planning that's going on
for the property across from
Mountain View hospital and in
the planning that's going on
for the- elfa sale in Solano.
Quarters both of those
projects- there's a great. Deal
discussion about including
affordable housing in those
projects so that it's- as you
said commission reviews more
spread out the integrated with
other housing and stuff like
that so I think there are a lot
of good. Indicators meeting the
city council and the state land
office and what's happening in
a couple projects that are
being planned right now there's
everybody seems to have some
emphasis on. More affordable
housing and making it less
isolated. Just department
actually. Some sort of what we
are calling missing middle
housing which is- you know
duplexes and tri plex is and
the cool crowd each courtyard
things a lot of different ways
that you can do. Affordable
housing and integrate it with
market. Housing so I'm I see a
lot of movement in that
direction. Thank you. Anybody
else want to just make a
comment. Okay well a motion to
adjourn a motion to adjourn.
The commissions that that
second that motion to adjourn
it somebody make a motion I
forgot I. Mr Bennett I make a
motion to adjourn okay
Englishness that seconds right
second it yeah although the
favor. You can just turn on
your unmute yourself and say J.
yeah yeah okay all right thank
you everybody have a good
evening it's very cold outside
take care of yourself and
stands. Yeah it's not by.